Purpose

The purpose of identification in the Spectrum gifted and talented program is to find students in grades

K-8 whose potential or performance is so extraordinary that they require modifications to their instructional program. The identification process will include multiple measures in recognition that students are unique individuals whose profiles of strengths are not always evidenced in a traditional manner.

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Building Spectrum Team

A building Spectrum Team will be formed at each school to facilitate the identification process and monitor students who participate in the program. For the initial pilot year for Spectrum, a K-8 Identification Timeline has been developed. After year one, the Spectrum Building Teams will receive and consider referrals throughout the school year.† The Team will meet on a quarterly basis, at a minimum.†

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Guidelines for Determining Eligibility

Eligibility for the program will be determined through a four-step process of nomination, demonstration, assessment, and recommendation for entry.† Students should be nominated for consideration based on indicators of highly unusual ability or performance or the capability of attaining high performance with the support of the Spectrum program. The nomination indicators represent the expectation that students demonstrate strengths at the highest levels, equivalent to the top 3% of students of a similar age in a particular area or areas of ability or achievement. The Building Team will review eligibility annually for those students participating in the Spectrum program. Parents of enrolled students will be notified in writing of student status prior to the start of the following school year.†

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Step One: Nomination

A child may be nominated by a teacher, parent/guardian, or a building administrator. Students nominated will demonstrate one or more of the following indicators. Students demonstrating one indicator will move to Step Two. Students demonstrating two indicators will move directly to Step Three.

Demonstrated achievement, performance, or expertise in one or more areas as evidenced by repeated excellence of products, portfolio, or research indicative of highly unusual ability or achievement;

A total Language Arts or Mathematics score at or above the 97th percentile on the most recently administered district nationally normed achievement test, such as the TerraNova;

An Advanced Proficient Language Arts or Mathematics score at or above the equivalent of the 97th percentile on the most recent district-wide administration of the NJASK;

An IQ score of 130 or higher on an individually administered psychological test conducted outside the district at parent expense by a certified professional during the current academic year, such as the WISC-V or Binet

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Step Two: Demonstration of Exceptionality

Students nominated will demonstrate two or more of the following indicators:

Demonstrated achievement, performance, or expertise in one or more areas as evidenced by repeated excellence of products, portfolio, or research indicative of highly unusual ability or achievement;

A total Language Arts or Mathematics score at or above the 97th percentile on the most recently administered district nationally normed achievement test, such as the TerraNova;

An Advanced Proficient Language Arts or Mathematics score at or above the equivalent of the 97th percentile on the most recent district-wide administration of the NJASK;

An IQ score of 130 or higher on an individually administered psychological test conducted during the current academic year, such as the WISC-V or Binet;

A total score at or above the 97th percentile on a group ability test, such as SAGES-2;

Very strong indicators of exceptional behaviors, as noted by GATES (Gifted and Talented EvaluationScale) scores >121 and/or SIGS (Scales for Identifying Gifted Students) scores >127 by two or more raters, supported by observations, anecdotal evidence, narratives, or interviews.

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Step Three: Assessment

Students who have reached Step Three based on Nomination and/or Demonstration indicators will be assessed using the GATES and/or SIGS and the SAGES-2, unless these tests were administered as part of Step Two. The assessments will take place following parent/guardian signed permission.

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Step Four: Recommendation for Eligibility

The recommendation from the Building Spectrum Team program for eligibility or non-eligibility will be presented to the parent/guardian during a conference. A recommendation for participation in the Spectrum Program will include proposed modifications to the studentís program. Students will be admitted to the program once parent/guardian signed permission is obtained.

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Appeal

An appeal for consideration on behalf of a student not selected may be made by a parent or guardian to the Haddon Township Superintendent of Schools.

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Transfer Students

Students who transfer into the district who were currently receiving services in a gifted and talented program in their previous district will automatically be admitted with signed parent/guardian permission to the Spectrum program for the duration of the current school year. Eligibility will be reviewed annually for transfer students by the Building Team. Parents of enrolled students will be notified in writing of student status prior to the start of the following school year.

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Nomination Form
If you are interested in pursuing entry into Spectrum for your child, please contact your building principal for additional details.† When you are ready to prepare the submission packet, click on the nomination form below. The completed form should be submitted to your building principal along with all of the supporting documentation described on the form.† Please note that applications submitted without supporting documentation cannot be considered.